Crafting for mental health
“I was in a bit of a bad way. At CardiShed I found like-minded people doing craft. I found solidarity.”
Adrian, WWH resident.
In a world where technology reigns, it’s easy to get caught up in the stress and anxiety of daily life.
But taking time out to stop and focus on a creative craft can have great benefits to your state of mind. Just ask anyone who’s taken up activities such as painting, woodwork, knitting or sculpting.
In Cardigan, one volunteer-run organisation is doing just that. Every week, CardiShed provides a creative and calming outlet for local people.
The project was originally set up as a place where men could get together and share their feelings and concerns in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. It started in response to the high suicide rates in Ceredigion, which continues to be one of the highest rates in the UK.
In the four years since CardiShed opened, the workshop has grown and around 90 people, men, women and young people, now visit regularly to try their hand at carpentry and woodturning.
Some of the members are retired, some are referred by mental health services and others are keen to make friends and learn a new skill.
WWH resident Adrian is one of the founders and volunteers on the committee. He had studied cabinet-making when he was younger and has always been interested in carpentry and woodwork.
He says: “When I first went to CardiShed, I was struggling with mental ill health that was made worse due to my issues with alcohol and drugs.”
“I was in a bit of a bad way. At CardiShed I found like-minded people doing craft. I found solidarity.
“Since being part of the “Shed”, my life has turned around and the future is much brighter.
“It’s the simple joy of being in the moment,” says Adrian, who works as a gardener and handyman.
“When you start turning a piece of green wood or making a piece of furniture, it takes you into a zone. It’s the only thing you think about. Your mind is totally focused on the wood and what you’re making. It’s a good place to be.
“Sometimes we get asked to make things for the community. For instance, we made two wooden benches for the Pentop play area at Golwg Y Castell in Cardigan.
“When you see something that you’ve made being used in the community, it makes you feel proud.”
With the increase in the number of people using the carpentry facilities in the CardiShed workshop, organisers needed to raise funds to improve health and safety measures. They turned to WWH and, together with one of our contractors, CJS Electrical, we provided sponsorship to upgrade the dust extraction system, electrics and fire safety at the workshop.
CardiShed co-ordinator Matt said: “The support has made a huge difference to the service we offer. We have seen a rapid increase in participation at CardiShed over the last year. This funding has enabled us to make improvements to our workshops so that we now offer a safe working environment to all participants.”
“We now have a carpentry machine shop that is clean, safe and accessible.”
